Baker McKenzie LLP has long enjoyd an all-but-unrivalled presence on the ground in Latin America, but the hire of a senior team led by the much-celebrated Michael Fitzgerald from Paul Hastings LLP in 2023, has nevertheless made a considerable difference to its standing - as well as significantly augmenting its New York office. The group has made a particular impression in restructurings and bankruptcies, including the use of exchange offers. It is also active in a range of new money financings, including sustainability-linked loans. Although the high-profile New York-based team is primarily focused on Mexico, it is working with the wider firm to target Colombia, Brazil, Argentina and Peru to a greater degree. Along with Fitzgerald, Arturo Carrillo and Joy Gallup have a fine record in liability management exercises and debt restructurings, with Pedro Reyes and Steven Sandretto (who joined from Greenberg Traurig LLP in 2023 and previously worked with the legacy Paul Hastings LLP group), providing additional senior expertise.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘This is a group that knows each other very well and is excellent as a team. In all the offices in which they have been, they have known how to stand out.'
‘They are dedicated and extremely hardworking. I also highlight above all the leadership capacity of its main partners and how they add value for their clients.’
Key clients
- JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, HSBC
- Axtel
Work highlights
- Represented the bank syndicate in connection with a sustainability linked credit agreement for Fibra Uno.
- Represented Axtel in a $264m syndicated sustainability-linked financing involving a senior unsecured credit agreement.